Watching all the Olympic action on TV these last few days has reminded me of my favourite Olympic story.
John Stephens Akwhari was a marathon runner from the African nation of Tanzania who, in 1968, dehydrated, bleeding from three falls and suffering from oxygen deprivation, staggered into the Mexico City Olympic Stadium. Akwhari finished half an hour behind the second-last runner and ignored pleas to quit from medical workers, Olympic officials and even his coach. The medals already had been awarded and preparations for the closing ceremony had to be delayed as Akwhari shuffled the final kilometres on blistered and bleeding feet. Eventually, Akwhari crossed the finish line and fell into the waiting arms of Red Cross workers.
Akwhari, when interviewed afterwards, and asked why he didn't simply give up, said;
"I believed I was a soldier. My country had sent me there to do honour. You do honour not by starting a race, but by finishing it."
Akwhari, when interviewed afterwards, and asked why he didn't simply give up, said;
"I believed I was a soldier. My country had sent me there to do honour. You do honour not by starting a race, but by finishing it."
Acts 20:24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me — the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.
Comments